2011 Toyota Prius Features & Specs

 

What's New for 2011

After a major redesign last year, there are no significant changes for the 2011 Toyota Prius.

Introduction

You could be forgiven for thinking the 2011 Toyota Prius has a big target painted on its side. After all, people like to gun for you when you're on top, and the Prius has been the king of the green car sales charts for years now. This year, in particular, there are many new choices for a fuel-efficient car. The question then becomes: Can the Prius keep its mojo going?
The good news for Toyota is that the Prius itself is better than ever. Last year, Toyota engineers reduced the car's aerodynamic drag, and the overall look is now sleeker and sportier. Under the hood, a larger gas engine and stronger electric motor combine for more power and better fuel economy -- the Prius has a combined EPA fuel economy estimate of 50 mpg, the best of any conventional hybrid vehicle. The newest Prius also has revised suspension tuning and improved electric steering to help make it more agile than before.
The 2011 Prius can also seemingly transform from a versatile utility hatchback to a small, hyper-efficient luxury sedan depending on how you equip it. On the higher trim levels, you'll find high-end appointments like heated leather seats, a solar-powered sunroof (it ventilates the interior when parked), a navigation system, adaptive cruise control (it matches your speed to the car ahead), a pre-collision system (tightens seatbelts and applies the brakes if a crash is unavoidable) and a lane-departure warning system. There's even an automated parallel-parking system to help you squeeze into tight downtown parking spaces.
There are some downsides to this latest Prius, however. Most concern the interior, such as too many cheap-feeling plastics, an awkward driving position and the lack of an iPod adapter on most models. If these attributes bother you, you'll certainly want to look around. Honda's Insight, also new last year, is the Prius' most direct competitor. It's less expensive and drives a bit more like a regular car, but it's not as fuel-efficient, it has a smaller backseat and it can seem too noisy and budget-oriented.
You might also check some of the top hybrid sedans, with the Ford Fusion Hybrid being our favorite. It doesn't have the top fuel economy of the Prius, but it looks like a normal sedan and drives with more vigor. The all-new Hyundai Sonata and Kia Optima Hybrid are also worth looking at.
Then there are the two hyped green cars this year, the Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf. The Leaf is 100-percent electrically powered, but its limited range and charging options mean it will be a niche choice. The Volt is probably more appealing -- it's basically a plug-in hybrid, giving it theoretically way better fuel economy than the Prius -- but it's also considerably more expensive. Toyota is also set to offer a plug-in version of the Prius to counter the Volt.
In sum, we think the 2011 Prius deserves to keep its status as the best all-around hybrid. With strong fuel economy, hatchback utility, a reasonable price and a feature list that can range from economy to luxury, the Prius earns its painted bulls-eye.

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The 2011 Toyota Prius is available in five trim levels: Prius One, Prius Two, Prius Three, Prius Four and Prius Five. Standard equipment on Prius One includes 15-inch steel wheels, full power accessories, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a height-adjustable driver seat and a 60/40-split-folding rear seat. The Prius Two adds 15-inch alloy wheels, heated side mirrors, automatic headlights, keyless ignition/entry, cruise control and a six-speaker stereo with CD player and auxiliary audio jack.
The Prius Three adds Bluetooth and an eight-speaker JBL upgraded stereo with six-CD changer. Prius Four includes this equipment as well as exterior locking buttons for keyless entry, leather upholstery, heated front seats, driver lumbar adjustment and an auto-dimming mirror. The loaded Prius Five comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, foglamps and LED headlamps with auto-leveling and washers.
The Navigation package, available on all but the Prius One and Two, includes a voice-activated touchscreen navigation system with real-time traffic, a rearview camera, a four-CD changer (replacing the six-slot), an iPod/USB audio interface and Bluetooth music streaming. The Solar Roof package can be added to the Navigation package and includes a sunroof with a solar-powered ventilation system that cools the car when parked, and remote-activated air-conditioning for cooling the cabin before you enter.
The Advanced Technology package available for Prius V includes all components of the Navigation package plus adaptive cruise control, pre-collision alert system, a lane departure warning system and automated self-parking.

Powertrains and Performance

The 2011 Toyota Prius is powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine combined with a pair of electric motor/generators; they send their power through a specialized continuously variable transmission (CVT). The result is total output of 134 horsepower.
In track testing, we clocked the Prius from zero to 60 mph in 10.1 seconds, which is about average for a hybrid vehicle. The most important number, however, is fuel economy. The EPA estimates the 2011 Prius will return a very impressive 51 mpg city/48 highway and 50 mpg combined.

Safety

Every 2011 Toyota Prius comes standard with antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, front side airbags, side curtain airbags and a driver knee airbag. Optional equipment includes a pre-collision warning system and a lane-departure warning system. In brake testing, the Prius stopped from 60 mph in a short 118 feet.
The Prius has not yet been rated using the government's new, more strenuous 2011 crash tests. According to 2010 ratings (which aren't comparable to 2011 ratings) the Toyota Prius earned four stars rating in frontal impact protection for both driver and passenger. In side impact testing, the Prius scored five stars for front passengers and four stars for the rear. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the Prius the highest rating of "Good" in frontal offset and side-impact crashes.

Interior Design and Special Features

The 2011 Prius features straightforward climate and audio controls that jut out toward the driver in a "floating console" that provides a storage tray underneath. It's a nice design that helps maximize cabin space. The digital instrument panel also features a floating layer that displays audio, temperature and trip computer information when the driver touches those controls on the steering wheel, minimizing eye movement. Some drivers might find the overall design a bit too busy-looking, however.
Materials quality in the Prius is disappointing, with harder and cheaper plastics than other cars in its price range. The corduroy-like texturing on the climate and audio controls seems nice at first, but collects oil from the skin and causes circular dark spots on most buttons.
In terms of versatility, though, the Prius is still a champ. The hatchback body style provides more cargo capacity than a typical midsize sedan, and the backseat offers plenty of space. Sadly, taller drivers still have to contend with a steering wheel that's placed too far away. There's a telescoping column, but it doesn't come out nearly far enough.

Driving Impressions

The 2011 Toyota Prius features a hyper-quiet cabin, made possible by its part-time electric motivation and extensive use of sound-deadening materials. The ride is also quite comfortable. The electric steering doesn't provide much in the way of feel, but it's user-friendly in parking lots and doesn't become overly boosted on the highway.
Acceleration is far from sprightly, but it's on par for a hybrid and certainly adequate for most drivers. Four driving modes -- Normal, Eco, Power and EV -- allow the pilot to decide the optimum powertrain configuration depending on conditions. Eco is measured and sluggish, but returns the best fuel economy. Power is useful for entering freeways or driving on hills. EV mode locks out the gasoline engine, but only up to 25 mph with at least a half-charged battery pack.

Colors

Exterior

Interior

Exterior

Body

• Rear spoiler

Tires and Wheels

• Alloy wheels
• 15 x 6.0 in. wheels
• Steel spare wheel
• P195/65R15 tires
• All season tires
• Inside mounted spare tire
• Full wheel covers
• Temporary spare tire

Roof and Glass

• Variable intermittent wipers
• Rear defogger
• Intermittent rear wiper

Towing and Hauling

• Cargo tie downs

Measurements

• Width: 68.7 in.
• Height: 58.7 in.
• Length: 175.6 in.
• Ground clearance: 5.5 in.
• Front track: 60.0 in.
• Rear track: 59.8 in.
• Wheel base: 106.3 in.
• Cargo capacity, all seats in place: 21.6 cu.ft.
• Maximum cargo capacity: 39.6 cu.ft.

• EPA interior volume: 115.3 cu.ft.
• Drag Coefficient: 0.25 Cd
• Curb weight: 3042 lbs.

Exterior Options

• Special Color
• Alloy Wheel Locks
• Clear Protective Film
• Lower Door Molding
• Door Edge Guard
• Rear Bumper Applique

Mechanical

Engine & Performance

• Base engine size: 1.8 L
• Cam type: Double overhead cam (DOHC)
• Cylinders: inline 4
• Valves: 16
• Valve timing: Variable
• Torque: 105 ft-lbs. @ 4000 rpm
• Horsepower: 134 hp @ 5200 rpm
• Turning circle: 34.2 ft.

• Base engine type: hybrid

DriveTrain

• Drive type: front wheel drive
• Transmission: continuously variable-speed automatic
• Brake hill holder

Suspension

• MacPherson strut front suspension
• Torsion beam rear suspension
• Front independent suspension
• Front and rear stabilizer bar

Fuel

• Fuel type: hybrid
• Fuel type: regular unleaded
• Fuel tank capacity: 11.9 gal.
• Range in miles (cty/hwy): 606.9/571.2 mi.
• EPA mileage est. (cty/hwy): 51/48 mpg

Mechanical Options

• Remote Engine Start

Safety

Safety & Security

• 4-wheel ABS
• Front and rear head airbags
• Dual front side-mounted airbags
• Child seat anchors
• Remote anti-theft alarm system
• Emergency braking assist
• Ventilated front disc / solid rear disc brakes
• Rear door child safety locks
• Engine immobilizer
• Auto delay off headlamps
• 2 front headrests
• 3 rear headrests
• Passenger airbag occupant sensing deactivation
• Rear center 3-point belt
• Front seatbelt pretensioners
• Stability control
• Traction control
• Electronic brakeforce distribution
• Front height adjustable headrests
• Rear folding headrests
• Passenger head restraint whiplash protection system
• Driver head restraint whiplash protection system
• Tire pressure monitoring

Safety & Security Options

• First Aid Kit
• Emergency Assistance kit
• V.I.P. Security Upgrade

Warranty

• Basic: 3 yr./ 36000 mi.
• Drivetrain: 5 yr./ 60000 mi.
• Hybrid Component: 8 yr./ 100000 mi.
• Free Maintenance: 2 yr./ 25000 mi.
• Roadside: 2 yr./ 25000 mi.

Interior

Front Seats

• Front head room: 38.6 in.
• Front hip room: 52.7 in.
• Front leg room: 42.5 in.
• Front shoulder room: 54.9 in.
• Height adjustable driver seat
• Cloth
• Bucket front seats

Rear Seats

• Rear hip Room: 51.2 in.
• Rear head room: 37.6 in.
• Rear leg room: 36.0 in.
• Rear shoulder room: 53.1 in.
• Split-folding rear seatback
• Folding with storage center armrest

Power Features

• Remote power door locks
• Power mirrors
• Heated mirrors
• 4 one-touch power windows

Convenience

• Cruise control
• Front console with storage
• Front and rear cupholders
• Front door pockets
• Overhead console with storage
• Retained accessory power
• Front seatback storage
• Electric power steering
• 12V front power outlet(s)
• Tilt and telescopic steering wheel
• Audio and cruise controls on steering wheel

Comfort

• Interior air filtration
• Climate control
• Cargo area light
• Front reading lights
• Simulated alloy trim on shift knob
• Simulated alloy steering wheel
• Dual illuminating vanity mirrors

Instrumentation

• Clock
• Trip computer
• External temperature display
• Low fuel level warning

In Car Entertainment

• Mast antenna
• 6 total speakers
• AM/FM in-dash single CD player with CD MP3 Playback stereo
• Auxiliary MP3 audio input
• Radio data system

Interior Options

• XM Satellite Radio
• Auto-Dimming Mirror
• Cargo Net
• Cargo Tote by Nifty Product
• Cargo Organizer
• Illuminated Door Sills
• BLU Logic Hands-free System
• Carpet Floor/Cargo Mat Set

Packages

• PLUS Performance Package
• Appearance Package
• Preferred Premium Accessory Package
• Preferred Accessory Package